In recognition of the 250th anniversary of the Revolution, join Queer History Boston to explore the stories of LGBTQ+ Bostonians who have fought for their right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
This podcast is produced with the support of Mass Humanities.
Where can we find evidence of queer and trans lives in the 19th century? And what do we do when the evidence is missing?
In our second episode, host Joan Ilacqua is joined by historian Meaghan Michel to discuss the queer connections of Reverend Samuel Longfellow, and journalist Arielle Gray to explore why the absence of evidence doesn't mean the absence of a Black queer past.
Queer Boston's Pursuit of Happiness is produced with the support of Mass Humanities through the Expand Massachusetts Stories program - thanks Mass Humanities!
For our full show notes, visit www.queerhistoryboston.org/podcast.
1 Sept 2026
Gender and the Revolutionary War
America was founded on the promises of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Join us as we explore the history of LGBTQ+ Bostonians who challenged gender and sexuality norms while fighting to make those promises a reality.
In our first episode, host Joan Ilacqua is joined by historians J.L. Bell and Dr. Jen Manion to discuss the legacies of people who defied gender norms in the late 1700s. You'll meet Deborah Sampson, the first American woman to receive a military pension after enlisting as "Robert Shurtleff," and Francis Lewis, whose obituary states that he died at age 93, "32 of which years he dressed as a woman, and was supposed to be such."
Queer Boston's Pursuit of Happiness is produced with the support of Mass Humanities through the Expand Massachusetts Stories program - thanks Mass Humanities!
For our full show notes, visit www.queerhistoryboston.org/podcast.
3 Jun 2026
Welcome to Queer Boston's Pursuit of Happiness
In recognition of the 250th anniversary of the America Revolution, Queer Boston's Pursuit of Happiness explores the stories of queer and trans Bostonians across the generations who have fought for their right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
In each episode we'll share the stories of revolutionary trailblazers from the American Revolution to the first Boston Pride, highlighting each generation's embrace of our unfinished revolution in their ongoing pursuit of the promise that all people are created equal. We'll explore the arc of activists who fought for independence, abolition, suffrage, the decriminalization of sodomy, and who continue to fight for equality for all.
Queer Boston's Pursuit of Happiness is hosted by Joan Ilacqua, Executive Director of Queer History Boston. This podcast is produced with the support of Mass Humanities through the Expand Massachusetts Stories program - thanks Mass Humanities!
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Apple Podcasts (US)
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Spotify
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